Character Building

Helping students become the best version of themselves and learning how to place value on the choices they make.

Building a Classroom Community from the Very First Day

Building a Classroom Community from the Very First Day (Activity)

I love a good community building activity. In fact, I may have more books on feelings, emotions and appreciating uniqueness than I do on any other subject! Maybe it’s because I know first-hand the effects bullying can have on a kid {or teenager} or maybe it’s because part of my passion in working with little ones …

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Teach Junkie: Think Before You Speak Name Tags Template

Think Before You Speak Name Tags Template

Here is  way to remind students how to think before you speak. This name tags template is a colorful badge that you can use to decorate your classroom from the first day until the last of school. Since this how to think before you speak printable is a free download you can print as many you want to last throughout the year! …

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Teach Junkie: Think Before You Speak Printable Posters

Think Before You Speak Printable Posters

Here is  way to remind students how to think before you speak. These printable posters are a fun and colorful way decorate your classroom and make a point. Since these how to think before you speak printables are free downloads you can print as many you want to fit your classroom space! Think Before You Speak Printable Posters {Free Download} …

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Do Unto Otters Book Activity Suggestions - character education

Do Unto Otters Book Activity Suggestions

Effectively teach how to have good manners in the classroom with a read aloud and a free printable packet for first through fifth grade. One of the biggest teach complaints I hear often is that many students don’t know what it means to have good manners. So, why not take some time at the beginning …

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Teaching Empathy With Picture Books - One Thousand Tracings

That’s Empathy

Tonight I’m thinking a LOT about empathy, the virtue of putting oneself in another’s shoes to understand what he or she is feeling, because today’s guest post — Empathy In A (Shoe) Box — at the Corner on Character is quite possibly the best empathy lesson I’ve ever seen. I’m also anticipating seventeen days of glory …

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Our Class Motto for SUCCESS!

Our Class Motto for SUCCESS! {Free Printable}

What is a tip to help students be successful when learning, taking standardized tests or working? Here is a project that helped our class create a motto for success and helped my students apply what they’ve been learning. Our Class Motto for SUCCESS! {Free Printable} I work really hard to keep them focused and I …

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Teach Junkie: Classroom Management: Developing Community and Character

Classroom Management: Developing Community and Character

Classroom management is a huge part of the classroom culture. No matter what time of the year, teachers are always working hard on developing community within the classroom environment and strong character within students. Here are two ideas and free download printables that may help guide you to helping create the environment you want. Class …

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What is Responsibility Classroom Anchor Chart

What is Responsibility: Classroom Anchor Chart

Teaching character never goes out of style! Here is a great responsibility anchor chart to help teach character in your classroom. Students can learn what being responsible looks like, help develop what responsibility looks like in the classroom and share examples. You can use this chart all year long to refer to and help build …

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The Recess Tattling Lantern *A Little Classroom Magic*

The Recess Tattling Lantern *Classroom Magic*

Ever feel like tattling scales out of control after recess? You’re not alone. Here is a teacher and student-friendly strategy using a lantern to help cut down on classroom tattling. An empty (affiliate) decorative lantern that you can find at any Hobby Lobby type of store is a safe harbor for student messages. Tattling Be …

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27 Classroom Poster Sets - Free and Fantastic

27 Classroom Poster Sets: Free and Fantastic

Add some color and inspiration with classroom posters. Here are 27 free classroom posters sets for and grade level! These instant download poster sets cover inspirational quotes, learning quotes, curricular content and even classroom management. There’s no shortage of great teaching tips for sprucing up your classroom. If you’re looking for something different – I’ve got your …

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Reflection Journal - Teach Junkie

Reflection Journaling – One Teacher’s Story

Journaling can be an important part of a school experience for a child and classroom teacher. Here’s one teacher’s story of how she uses reflection journals in her classroom. She asks her students to write to her once a week and she reads and responds over the next week to each child individually. Journaling For …

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Creating Rules for Group Work {Printable}

Creating Rules for Group Work {Printable}

How to teach students to work in groups! Just as we approach everything in our classrooms, teach what is expected for group work – desired behaviors and set expectations. This set of free printable group work expectation posters are a great way to introduce, review and remind students of the privilege that working in groups …

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Creative Teaching Ideas - American Hero Project and Wax Museum

Top Creative Teaching Ideas – What’s Yours? {7-9}

It’s that time again! It’s “Teaching Idea Tuesday” where you show off your creative teaching tips, activities and lesson plans. Link up your blog post with a teaching idea like something you taught, a project you made, a lesson, or fun tip. {anything goes} Creative Teaching Ideas In order to play with us, you’ll need to add this …

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Top 5 Teaching Ideas to Use this Week {5-14}

Its that time again – I’m featuring my teaching ideas to use this week from last Tuesday’s linky party. I hope you find something fantastic that you’d like to make or teach this week, I know you’re going to love this creative set! These are just the top 5 teaching ideas that I had time to …

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Helping Students Through Tragedy

Helping Students Through Tragedy

By Barbara Gruener, B.S., M.S., M.S. A school is supposed to be a safe and happy place where children go to learn and grow, not a place of terror and fear; unthinkable tragedies like the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting devastate not only those directly involved, but people around the world. And like most of us, …

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